Method and device for improving cardiac function

Abstract

In a method for improving cardiac function, a compressive device is inserted into an intrapericardial space about a lower end portion of a heart. Thereafter the compressive device is operated to compress and close off lower portions of both ventricles of the heart.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for improving cardiac function, comprising: inserting a compressive device into an intrapericardial space about a lower end portion of a heart; and   after the inserting of said compressive device into the intrapericardial space, operating said compressive device to compress and close off lower portions of both ventricles of the heart.   
     
     
       2. The method defined in claim 1 wherein said compressive device includes a plurality of prongs or tines each connected at one end to the other prongs or tines, the operating of said compressive device including pivoting each of said prongs or tines about the respective one end. 
     
     
       3. The method defined in claim 2 wherein at least one of said prongs or tines is provided with a tooth, further comprising inserting said tooth into the heart. 
     
     
       4. The method defined in claim 2 wherein the operating of said compressive device includes turning a camming mechanism to pivot each of said prongs or tines about the respective one end. 
     
     
       5. The method defined in claim 2 wherein the inserting of said compressive device includes inserting said compressive device through a trocar sleeve or cannula. 
     
     
       6. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the inserting of said compressive device includes inserting said compressive device through a trocar sleeve or cannula. 
     
     
       7. A method for improving cardiac function, comprising: inserting a compressive device having a plurality of spaced members into an intrapericardial space about a portion of a heart, at least one of said spaced members being provided with a tooth;   after the inserting of said compressive device into the intrapericardial space, operating said compressive device to compress and close off a portion of at least one ventricle of the heart; and   inserting said tooth into the heart to anchor said compressive device to the heart.   
     
     
       8. The method defined in claim 7 wherein said spaced members are a plurality of prongs or tines each connected at one end to the other prongs or tines, the operating of said compressive device including pivoting each of said prongs or tines about the respective one end. 
     
     
       9. The method defined in claim 8 wherein the operating of said compressive device includes turning a camming mechanism to pivot each of said prongs or tines about the respective one end. 
     
     
       10. The method defined in claim 7 wherein said spaced members are provided with a plurality of teeth, further comprising inserting said teeth into the heart to anchor said compressive device to the heart. 
     
     
       11. The method defined in claim 7 wherein the inserting of said compressive device includes inserting said compressive device through a trocar sleeve or cannula. 
     
     
       12. A method for improving cardiac function, comprising: inserting a compressive device into an intrapericardial space about a lower end portion of a heart, said compressive device including a plurality of prongs or tines each connected at one end to the other prongs or tines; and   after the inserting of said compressive device into the intrapericardial space, operating said compressive device to compress and close off lower portions of both ventricles of the heart, the operating of said compressive device including pivoting each of said prongs or tines about the respective one end, the operating of said compressive device further including turning a camming mechanism to pivot each of said prongs or tines about the respective one end.